Central & South America

Travelers to Central and South America find a variety of countries with shores on the Atlantic, Pacific, and Caribbean with tropical beaches, rainforests, mountains, and wildlife. In Central America, Panama’s famed canal is a popular tourist attraction, and Costa Rica’s resorts and “pura vida” lifestyle attract vacationers. South America’s countries range from warm tropical locales in the north to the gateway to Antarctica in the south, with the Amazon River, Machu Picchu in Peru, and Ecuador’s Galapagos in the west.

Latest Stories
View of Arenal Volcano over the trees
This Small Town in Costa Rica Is Home to Emerald Pools, Spectacular Waterfalls, and Luxe Resorts
You Need to Visit This Destination Before It Becomes Too Popular

You Need to Visit This Destination Before It Becomes Too Popular

Top Destinations

A green frog on a flower in Costa Rica
Costa Rica
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
The Galapagos Islands
Nicaragua
Machu Picchu
Machu Picchu

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Central & South AmericaBrazilChilePeruArgentina
A wooden pier extending into a tranquil lake flanked by tall mountains in the background
The 'Lake Como of Central America' Has Blue-green Waters, Colorful Villages, and 3 Volcanoes—Here's How to Visit
A person standing on a cliff overlooking a city, a beach, and mountains in Rio de Janeiro
This Destination Was Named No. 1 in the World for Hiking—and It Has Over 300 Scenic Trails to Explore
Sitting together on the beach
Brazilians Have a Wholesome Reason for Applauding On Beaches—and It's Spreading Across South America
Individual wearing protective gear sliding down a volcanic slope on a board
You Can Surf Down the Side of an Active Volcano at This Central American Destination
A group of red birds flying against a blue sky.
This Less-traveled South American Country Is a Natural Paradise—and a Photographer's Dream
Rocky coastal landscape with distant islets and calm sea
The 'Galápagos of Argentina' Has a New Park With 60 Islands and Islets—and It's Teeming With Marine Life
Tent structures in a desert landscape near a water oasis, surrounded by sand dunes and sparse vegetation
This New 12-day Expedition Takes You to Some of the Most Beautiful Corners of South America
Decorative buildings on a vibrant street in Cartagena, Colombia, with modern skyscrapers visible in the distance
U.S. Government Updates Travel Advisory for This Popular South American Destination— What It Means for Travelers
Parque de Aventura Las Nubes
This Dreamy Central American Nature Preserve Is in a Cloud Forest—and It's Just 10 Minutes From the Beach
Tamarindo Villa in Costa Rica
This Country Was Just Named the Most In-demand for a Luxury Vacation — and It's an Affordable Beach-lover's Paradise
Nightlife in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
This City Was Just Named the Best in the World for Nightlife — and it's a Stunning South American Destination
La Paz, Bolivia, aerial view flying over the dense, urban cityscape
This City Was Just Named the Least Walkable Destination in the World — but There's One Other Epic Way to Get Around
Long exposure of Cataratas do Iguaçu
25 Best Places to Visit in South America
A pool at a hotel in Antigua Guatemala
Discover Antigua: The Epicenter of Style and Adventure in Guatemala
People outside of a cafe in Uruguay
This Coastline in Uruguay Is Home to the 'Hamptons of South America,' Art Galleries, and Celebrity-chef Dining
Dense forest landscape with a river visible in the background open sky above it and tall trees in the foreground
This Cruise Visits the Remotest Corners of the Amazon Rainforest—How to Plan a Trip
A person walking on a narrow wooden bridge spanning a river in a forested area
I’m a Travel Advisor, and These Are My Favorite Hidden-gem Destinations in Latin America
View of a glacier extending to a turquoise lake with forest and mountains in the background
This Region Has Glaciers, Rainforests, and Mountains All in One—Here’s How to Plan Your Trip
Paddleboards on a shore with people in the water sailboats visible in the distance
This Tranquil Beach Town Is a Trending Shoulder Season Destination—and It Has Turquoise Waters and Pristine Sands
The entrance of a building with red walls palm trees and a central pathway leading through a series of open doors
This South American Country Is One of the Most Overlooked Food Destinations in the World, According to a Top Travel Advisor
A small town in front of a colorful mountain landscape
Why This Underrated Region of Argentina Deserves More Attention, According to a Travel Advisor
Aerial view of a city in a mountainous region, showcasing dense urban architecture and vegetation in the foreground
Travel + Leisure Readers' 10 Favorite Cities in Central and South America of 2025
Outdoor dining area with tables and chairs under umbrellas, overlooking a seaside view
Travel + Leisure Readers’ 10 Favorite City Hotels in Central and South America of 2025
A hotel suite living room.
Travel + Leisure Readers’ 10 Favorite Resorts in Central America of 2025
A sea lion resting on a yellow kayak on a sandy shore
Travel + Leisure Readers' 5 Favorite Islands in Mexico and Central and South America of 2025
Poolside loungers and cabanas at a resort with scenic surroundings
Travel + Leisure Readers' 5 Favorite Resorts in South America of 2025
beach in Azuero Peninsula, Panama
This Destination Was Named an Up-and-coming Retirement Spot for Affordability—and It 'Feels Like Paradise'
Pool area at St Regis Bermuda
The Best Resorts in Bermuda
Quasar Expeditions Grace yacht, in the Galapagos
A Galápagos Cruise Challenges the Mind, Body, and Spirit — Here's Why I'm Glad I Took My 7-year-old Son
Exterior view of National Geographic Islander II
This New Superyacht Sailing the Galápagos Will Bring Just 48 Passengers to See Incredible Wildlife and Stunning Islands
View from a walkway on the Aqua Expeditions Aqua Mare cruise ship
3 New Ways to Explore South America by Water
Colorful lobby of the Copacabana Palace
Travel + Leisure Readers' 10 Favorite City Hotels in Central and South America of 2023
Mountain side exterior of Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel
Travel + Leisure Readers' 5 Favorite Resorts in South America of 2023
Palm trees and dock at a resort in Ambergris Caye, Belize
Travel + Leisure Readers' 5 Favorite Islands in Mexico and Central and South America of 2023
Monestario, Monasterio, A Belmond Hotel, Cusco, Peru
Our Readers' Favorite City Hotels in Central and South America in 2022
Twilight over the plaza de armas in the heart of Cusco old town in Peru with the cathedral in the Andes.
Our Readers' Favorite Cities in Central and South America in 2022
Nayara Tented Camp, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
Our Readers' Favorite Resorts in Central America in 2022
Exterior of Cavas Wine Lodge
Our Readers' Favorite Resorts in South America in 2022
Card Placeholder Image
Our Readers' Favorite Islands in Mexico and Central and South America in 2022
Galapagos Islands, Ecuador
Your Ultimate Guide to Touring the Enchanting Galápagos Islands
A row of colorful houses and palm trees in the Dominican Republic
12 Best Places to Retire Around the World
A beach in Managua in front of a volcano in Nicaragua
This Central American Country Is Home to Beautiful Beaches, Epic Surf, and a Rich Cultural History
Neil Patrick Harris and family on cruises expedition in Ecuador
Neil Patrick Harris and David Burtka on Their Epic Galapagos Trip — and Tips for Traveling With Kids
Outdoor yoga class at sunset
20 Best Yoga Retreats in Beautiful Destinations Around the World
Hotel Fasano São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
Our Readers' Favorite 10 Hotels in Central and South America in 2021
Nayara Tented Camp, Arenal Volcano National Park, Costa Rica
Our Readers' Favorite 10 Resort Hotels in Central America in 2021
Horseback riding on the beach in Uruguay; a dining table at Restaurante Garzón
Surf, Turf, and Plenty of Wine in Uruguay
Boat of tourists watching a flock of flamingos in the water
Snorkel With Playful Sea Lions, Swim on White-sand Beaches, and Go Hiking in the Galapagos With This Tour Company
Cusco, Peru
Our Readers' Favorite 10 Cities in Central and South America in 2020
Casa Gangotena
Our Readers' Favorite 10 City Hotels in Central and South America in 2020
A Galapagos sea lion on the beach with a cruise ship and turquoise ocean in the distance, Galapagos Island, Ecuador
Our Readers' Favorite 5 Islands in Mexico and Central and South America in 2020
St Catarina Arc and Volcan de Agua, Antigua, Guatemala
Our Readers' Favorite 10 Cities in Central and South America in 2021
Taormina town with Mount Etna on background
50 Best Honeymoon Destinations Around the World
Hotel Paracas, a Luxury Collection Resort, Paracas, Peru
Our Readers' Favorite 10 Resort Hotels in South America in 2021
Galápagos Islands, Ecuador
Our Readers' Favorite 5 Islands in Mexico and Central and South America in 2021
Coastal aerial image of Casa Chameleon at Las Catalinas
Our Readers' Favorite 10 Resort Hotels in Central America in 2020
Awasi Patagonia
Our Readers' Favorite 10 Resort Hotels in South America in 2020
Bogota, Colombia, South America
Our Readers' Favorite Cities in Central and South America in 2018
The Singular Patagonia Chile
Our Readers' Favorite Inns and Resorts in South America in 2016
Galapagos Island Cruise
Top Galápagos Cruises: Your Guide to the 13 Best Adventures